rob Lyttle Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 I just had some fun with the Monogram Curtiss P40B, and i.I'm thinking I'll stay with Curtiss Wright's output AND get back onto airliners.... AND set about a kit I felt very lucky to pick up. Lucky, certainly in the UK. North America may be well supplied with William's Bros kits for all I know, but they are fleetingly rare here, and probably much sought after by a small group of twinengined post- war enthusiasts. The real thing hardly gets a mention in European aviation accounts, as far as I can see; completely overshadowed by the DC 3. But the C46 Commando did epic service in SE Asia and the Pacific. Post-war many performed sterling work all over the American continents-- North, South and Central... And the Carribean. Thousands of them.... I can't even show a box top picture. The kit came in a bag! The kit has fine raised panel lines and not a complicated parts breakdown. The overall structure is very similar to, say, a Dakota by Italieri or airfix. First issue in the 1970s..?? Instructions are in the form of an exploded diagram with notes, and several paragraphs of guidance and information on the other side. Not many WIPs on here that I can find for insight and words of wisdom. I've sorted a few sundry items by way of getting hooked on the build--- rudder removed, U/C doors excised, nacelles etc... But I have one major hurdle to be cleared.... The supplied fuselage has the basic military configuration of 4 and 5 windows, but I'm seeing loads of ref's with more... Maybe 9 or 10 per side.And I think this is the later version Curtiss produced as a civilian liner. (Pics deleted) I could tackle making square windows to match existing, but it would have to be done straight away, not after the fuselage sides are joined up!! The decal sheet includes the Flying Tiger Line option, but should that have the extra windows, or just with the standard war-surplus Commando fuselage as supplied by Williams?? Any advice and information on my options would be much appreciated! Posting now..... Over....... 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 I took these at the Winnipeg airport, way back in '87. Chris 10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roginoz Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 Hi, Rob Beware of Airliners.net photo use - they have a serious policy about copyright. There's an article on one of the HOME sites warning of repercussions against BM. Suggest you delete and post a link. Rog PS I love Commandos, used to see the odd one at Heathrow back in the 50's, European charter use, perhaps. I NEED a kit ! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 3 hours ago, roginoz said: I NEED a kit ! I've got the kit, need the time to put it together now, & someone to explore the traps & pitfalls along the way. Could be that @rob Lyttle is the man for the job. Steve. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMC Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 Still hanging around, Rob. Interesting choice, looks promising. Dennis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 11 hours ago, dogsbody said: I took these at the Winnipeg airport, way back in '87. That is a great livery, @dogsbody. Thanks for posting I wonder if Mr Belcher has anything going for Air Manitoba?!? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 See here for an index to an 18-part WIP series about this kit on the IPMS-USA forum: https://forum.ipmsusa3.org/search/?&page=1&tags=c-46&search_and_or=or&sortby=relevancy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinky coffeeboat Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 12 hours ago, roginoz said: ....Rog PS I love Commandos, used to see the odd one at Heathrow back in the 50's, European charter use, perhaps. I NEED a kit ! A few years ago S&M models rebooted this kit with BOAC wartime and Fred Olsen markings (separate boxes). I bought the Fred Olsen release from Hannants to go with my original Williams Bros (Flying Tigers) kit I bought years ago. Have a look around for these more recent releases or if scale isn't too important, buy the Platz 1/144 kit - it's a real beauty. I've got some vague idea about making one of those Peruvian and Bolivian aircraft that became the workhorses of the airborne freight fleet. And for the 1/144 kits, definitely a Buffalo Airways Commando. Jeff 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 (edited) I have seen pictures of one in Lufthansa's smart décor, and a Swedish line, but not much else on the European circuit. I ve used my Lufthansa options on a DC 3 anyway..... The prop hubs are getting worked over. 3 & 4 blade options are supplied and I want to get them fitted out with Ali tubes. Front to back is an engine block drilled out and fitted with tube bearing. The 4blade hubs with one drilled and attached to it's smaller bore tube. And the 3blade hubs waiting for a go. Looking at the blades, I'm thinking I'll have a go at foiling them. First time for trying that idea. Here's the general idea .. Edited January 28, 2019 by rob Lyttle 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 Little bit more fiddling around with details. From the front; . engine block with a 3blade hub. .2 foiled blades for this. .engine block with a 4blade hub. . the other two hubs+shafts. .The cockpit interior-- having moved the main seats and control column forward by "quite a lot". The captain would've needed ten ft long legs to reach the pedals from the given position! Scratched 3rd seat against the bulkhead. You may be able to see that the 4blade hub front has also had some foil. Does that have a name? Is it just a skinny spinner?? Never had deconstructed props before.... I am planning to get both sets of props done (all the blades are supplied) But that's a total of 14 blades, which amounts to 28 sides to foil if I keep at it! So I may pace myself on that. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belcherbits Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 On 1/28/2019 at 6:32 AM, rob Lyttle said: That is a great livery, @dogsbody. Thanks for posting I wonder if Mr Belcher has anything going for Air Manitoba?!? Sorry, I can assure you that Belcher Bits has nothing (and nothing planned) for this aircraft. Mike Belcher 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janneman36 Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Nice one here, not much people who will have a go on these and they are difficult to come by.. I have three of em, and there is a big chance i will make the prototype Commando with the two tails... Enjoy the build... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzn20 Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Looking forward to watching this build . On 1/28/2019 at 3:55 AM, roginoz said: Heathrow back in the 50's, European charter use, perhaps Up to late 60s Seaboard World and another -46 on lease , could have been a Capitol kite operated out of Heathrow. I remember playing football ( 4 miles from airport) on a red hot summer's day 68 ish and a C-46 coming over lower than 500 feet straining for lift ,great sight. Still some operating in Alaska too. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 3 hours ago, belcherbits said: I can assure you that Belcher Bits has nothing (and nothing planned) for this aircraft. Mike Belcher OK well thanks for getting back to me! Mike, I'm the guy in the sweetshop in Winchester, UK, if you think back a couple of years, on your way to Telford. So, bad news for the good people of Manitoba...!! And me.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 (edited) 5 hours ago, bzn20 said: to late 60s Seaboard World and another -46 on lease , could have been a Capitol kite operated out of Heathrow. Along with the single sheet of instructions, Williams includes an IPMSUSA information sheet detailing 3 alternative schemes to consider. Middle is the Seaboard World Airlines, and then there's the Braniff's Air Cargo. I'm guessing that appropriate decals were available at the time, but long since gone. On 28/01/2019 at 15:19, Space Ranger said: See here for an index to an 18-part WIP series about this kit on the IPMS-USA forum: https://forum.ipmsusa3.org/search/?&page=1&tags=c-46&search_and_or=or&sortby=relevancy Good read, @Space Ranger although chopped into small segments for reading. Nice work on the cooling gills, and I see he moved the furniture around in the cockpit too. The end result looks slick for sure, but a bit "sterile" for me. I want to breathe a bit of life into the airframe if I can. Edited January 29, 2019 by rob Lyttle undo hidden... Whaaa...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 I just done a big post, and I must've toggled the " hide" button at the bottom. It came up pink and has now disappeared, irretrievably Hidden!! Can anybody tell me..... WHAT'S THE USE OF THIS?????? I mean, I know I'm a bit prone to touchscreen chaos, but REALLY??? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinky coffeeboat Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Don't mean to laugh but I too share the touch-screen-chaos and usually have to go back and edit each post for spelling and wandering fingers on the virtual keyboard. Jeff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzn20 Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 17 minutes ago, rob Lyttle said: Hidden Isn't there a saved thing that just loads it up again ? I'm on a laptop .. I'd never get started on a touch screen , only have to pick the thing up and I'm on a show jumping , creative hair dressing forum or BBC News ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 (edited) Included by Williams is an information sheet for these three options. I guess suitable decals were available at the time. Us army, then Seaboard World Airlines and Braniff's Air Cargo. On 28/01/2019 at 15:19, Space Ranger said: See here for an index to an 18-part WIP series about this kit on the IPMS-USA forum: https://forum.ipmsusa3.org/search/?&page=1&tags=c-46&search_and_or=or&sortby=relevancy Good read, although chopped into several sections makes difficult to read. A very slick build, but the end result looks a bit "sterile" for me. I want to try and breathe a bit of life into the airframe. Nice job on the nacelle cooling gills. I'm moved to try similar; first I'll try modifying the kit moulding part. I found this, also Hmmmm... (Carefully checks the HIDE toggle before Submit......) Edited January 30, 2019 by rob Lyttle pics etc 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted January 30, 2019 Author Share Posted January 30, 2019 1 hour ago, bzn20 said: Isn't there a saved thing that just loads it up again ? I'm on a laptop .. I'd never get started on a touch screen , only have to pick the thing up and I'm on a show jumping , creative hair dressing forum or BBC News ! I ordered a book on Amazon---- The Mosquito Log... great read. I ended up getting THREE of them on consecutive days, 2 hardback and a paperback edition! Still good value though...! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted January 30, 2019 Author Share Posted January 30, 2019 This.... ... is hardly an exhaustive list, but there's a few observations to make. Cw20 A has a passenger only door, and different nacelles. C46E has a different untypical nose Super 46 has different engine fit and changed nacelles and spinners. That leaves the C46A/D. The Varig airlines of Brazil operated over a dozen C46 and I've been reading their website history section. Fascinating stuff! I have some pictures off their public pages, and I think it's fair use to put them here for discussion and information. Advice to the contrary, say so for removal. Different elevators and 4blade prop. Looking like a passenger only door. Right nacelles, with 4blade prop. Super46. PP-VCG is looking good for me. Compound doors, correct nacelles, single trim tab on the rudder, and a fine set of windows. One last one, from Wikipedia public domain.... That's very paintable! I found some options from Draw Decals but int postage makes it rediculous, they're away all February, and I couldn't get my phone to talk to their account system. Surprising...? Not really..... 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted January 31, 2019 Author Share Posted January 31, 2019 Seriously though, is that a small JET turbine attached beneath the wing...?;?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 My favorite C-46 livery: And decals are available from Vintage Flyer (https://www.vintageflyerdecals.com/c-46.html) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinky coffeeboat Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 I prefer the Commando over the DC-3, not by much, but there's something about it's streamlined nose attached to a big swollen body that looks appealing. Many years ago when Airlife and Osprey were publishing books on an almost daily basis, they pushed out a handful of great books about propliners (Alaskan Props, Skytrucks, Carribean Props etc). I bought as many as I could afford and still have them and flick through them regularly. Theres some great pictures of these battered and weary looking C-46 (and DC-3 and others) growling through the air over Bolivia, Peru and sitting in other desolate areas of South America. For inspiration and colour scheme challenges, they're brilliant. Hopefully without causing a major international upset, I've added a couple below - Great inspiration!! Jeff 10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinky coffeeboat Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 Do you mind if add another one? Thanks, Jeff 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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